The Garden State is one of the most densely populated states in the county.  It offers a bit of everything, beaches, farmland, city life, and proximity to major cities like Philadelphia and New York.

In our area, there are two places that stand out according to local real estate experts asked by the website Travel + Leisure, that are the most popular and sought-after communities in the state right now.

SoJO 104.9 FM logo
Get our free mobile app

Avalon and Stone Harbor, otherwise known as Seven Mile Island.

"Avalon and Stone Harbor offer the perfect combination of a vibrant, luxury summer resort atmosphere and the peacefulness of serene beach living during the off-season," said Jennifer Gensemer, a sales agent at Long & Foster.

The town coastal towns were the only two communities from our direct listening area (Atlantic, Cape May, and Cumberland counties), that made the list of the 10 best places to live in New Jersey.

The real estate agent lists: "several white-sand beaches, dunes, a maritime forest, a bird sanctuary, and a conservation area, with many hiking and biking trails, water sports, fishing, and boating."

The other nine place sin New Jersy on the list?

1. Jersey City
2. Hoboken
3. Princeton
4. Montclair
5. Ridgewood/Ho-Ho-Kus
6. Millburn-Short Hills
7. Wayne
8. Avalon/Stone Harbor
9. Middletown
10. Fair Haven

19 Restaurants to visit in Stone Harbor, NJ - Alphabetical Order

Gallery Credit: Josh Hennig/Townsquare Media

17 Restaurants is visit in Avalon, NJ - Alphabetical Order

Gallery Credit: Josh Hennig/Townsquare Media

More From SoJO 104.9 FM